Halogen vs fluorescent lights?

Question

I want to use energy efficient lights in my house, but fluorescents have one quality that I can't stand. I have some in my place now and the mood they create sucks because they don't dim. I'm wondering if the small (usually contemporary looking) halogens are pretty good for energy consumption. I like the look of them and I know they dim. Any thoughts?

Answer 1

Just buy dimmable CF lights.  You can get dimmable candelabra-base CFs in a flame-style frosted shroud at Home Depot, $6.47.  I'm sure there are others but my lamps are all 3-way, not dimmers.

Answer 2

Halogens dim, and turn orange to red as they do, no longer white.  Halogens also are made in higher wattages because to run well they have to be very hot...the filament metal deposited on the glass has to be chemically policed up by the halogen, and that requires a minimum operating temperature.

Could be done, but you may get undesirable color changes and much shortened life.

Try one and see!

Answer 3

you should seriously consider using torches but make sure not to leave them lit when you exit your place. that could suck.

Answer 4

Our house has to be energy efficient as wind power is our main source of energy & every house on this island has a 3kw limit.

When we moved here we changed all the lights to low voltage halogen & since then, have again been changing over to LEDs because they offer far more energy savings than halogen does.

Answer 5

Yes, LEDs are extremely expensive, but they last like another order of magnitude longer than fluorescents, produce no heat, use almost no power, and some fancier controllers probably support dimming.

Answer 6

the fluorescent are the best for energy consumption. they make compact fluorescent bulbs that do dim. halogen are a little better than iridescent bulbs(standard bulbs) LED bulbs are showing the most promise on energy consumption now. they only have a few different bulbs now, but will be expanding into the mass market.